YOU DON’T HAVE TO SUFFER WITH PERIOD PAIN ANY LONGER!

say goodbye the monthly drama!​

Millions of women suffer every month with period pain.  Period pain has become so normalized in our society that you may believe that you are destined to put up with it month in, month out,  until you reach menopause where you will be greeted by a host of other hormone related symptoms!  The good news is both period pain and the symptoms of menopause may be lessened by implementing the following guidelines.

There is hope!  There are some simple steps that you can take that could seriously reduce or perhaps even completely alleviate your period pain! It may seem difficult to make these lifestyle changes at first, but come your moontime you will be over the moon that you did!
 
Any more than mild discomfort for 3 -12 hours is considered pathological when it comes to period pain.  Every day we are exposed to a plethora of endocrine interrupters.  it is not possible to completely avoid them in our current society, however it is possible to reduce your exposure. Endocrine interrupters wreak havoc with your hormones and can throw your entire system into disarray, leading to period pain and more serious complications such as endometriosis, fertility issues and even cancers.
 
Endocrine interrupters can also cause inflammation and congestion and include pesticides and herbicides, genetically modified foods, BPA found in plastics, cans and even tax receipts! Radiation from computers, phones and medical imaging systems, many foods that we consume daily such as meat, dairy, coffee and other caffeinated products like energy drinks and even many common medicines can interfere with the proper functioning of your endocrine system.
 
So… If popping a bunch of ibuprofen or retreating to bed with a hot water bottle and binge watching Netflix for 2 or 3 days is your monthly norm…?  You may want to reconsider how you’re spending the other 3 weeks of the month.
 
Here are some practical things you can do to decrease problems associated with hormone imbalances and ease your monthly suffering.
 
Eat organic food! If you must eat meat and dairy make certain that they are organically produced. Avoid endocrine interference from the array of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides used on commercially grown produce.

Make sure you’re eating organically sourced wheat.  Before harvest wheat is heavily sprayed with                
the herbicide glyphosate to accelerate the drying of the grain and lessen the chance of mould forming and ruining the crop. Many people are finding that they have developed a sensitivity to this product.  An organic sourdough bread made with original grains (pre human tampering) such as spelt or kamut is best. Or you may like to cut out wheat altogether. There are so many delicious alternatives available these days.

Reduce or cease the use of alcohol, cigarettes and illicit substances that can affect hormone balance and cause inflammation.

Cease the use of hormonal contraceptives! Many women experience side effects from hormonal contraceptives, including, ironically, lower libido.  Often they do not even realise that these symptoms are related to hormonal contraception. Not to mention that it has been proven that prolonged use of hormonal contraception can reduce fertility among women and greatly increase the risk of breast cancer. The World Health Organisation classifies the pill as a class 1 carcinogen, that's the same category as tobacco and asbestos! While the pill has been known to alleviate the symptoms of some  menstrual problems, it may be doing so at a great cost to the body and possibly worsening the severity of the underlying cause.  There are many accredited period trackers available these days and when used correctly they can be equally effective as the pill.  I used my ladycomp, a handheld device with an alarm and thermometer for nearly 10 years without ever having a slip up.  I gained a greater understanding of myself and my cycle and when I did want to become pregnant I was able to use it to calculate my fertile days (and thankfully conceived on the first attempt).   After all, there are only 6 – 8 fertile days  so its easy to use barrier protection or change up your sex life on those occasions...  It’s so worth it!

Limit or stop drinking coffee and other caffeinated products which can affect the proper functioning of the endocrine system.

Stop eating meat and especially dairy products.  This may feel like a big one, but why not trial it for 1 or 2 months and note any changes from cycle to cycle…  The results may make this step seem super easy.  Meat and dairy products contain an array of foreign hormones that our bodies don’t know what to do with and are surplus to our needs.  It would feel wrong to drink milk from the breast of another human unless you were a baby right?  So isn’t it a little weird that we would consume the hormone laden milk of another species?  Aside from that it causes a huge amount of congestion and inflammation within our bodies.  There are so many great plant milks available these days and they are all quite different.  If you try one and don’t like it, try another and if you haven’t found a longlife version you can stomach, try one from the fridge.

 Experiment with high quality essential oils that are beneficial for hormone balancing such as rose geranium in a small amount of carrier oil applied to the abdomen and lower back or under the arms throughout the month.  Lavender, ylang ylang, chamomile, marjoram and sage have also been known to be of assistance.

Slow down!  At least for a day or two during your cycle.  Avoid vigorous exercise and heavy lifting.  Bleeding is enough.  Your womb is twice its regular size at this time of the month and requires a little nurturing.  Draw, paint, play music, engage your senses.  Relax and enjoy the most intuitive time of the month.

Stress less! Cultivate juicy sex hormones for feel good vibes by reducing stress in your life and lessening the effect of cortisol on your body and nervous system.

Remove chemical cleaning products from your life.  There are so many natural alternatives!

Stop using chemical laden cosmetics and toiletries.  Switch to a mineral makeup and use lotions, soaps and washes that are free from sulphates and parabens.  Switch to a mineral deodorant and use essential oil based perfumes.  The latest research is finding breast cancers containing many common chemical substances found in modern bathroom supplies.

Seek advice from a traditional Chinese herbalist or naturopath regarding herbs or supplements that can support your hormone health.

Have some osteopathy or abdominal massage!  When the uterus is not correctly positioned in the pelvic girdle it can press uncomfortably on the colon and lower back causing pain and discomfort.  
 
Give some or all of these tips a go!  You might be surprised at what else improves by following these steps.  For example your libido may increase, your skin may become clearer and brighter, you may have more energy and better sleep cycles, your digestion could improve, you might reach that illusive healthy weight for your body without even trying to lose or gain pounds, you could reduce anxiety and experience better emotional well being.  So clearly there is nothing to lose and everything to gain.
 
Hormones govern our metabolic processes and having them in balance can lead to a feeling of well being that is truly liberating.
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